An Examination of Kingdom Theology - Part 2/3

The conflict of the ages upon which the spiritual battle for men's souls resides is founded upon this single truth: that God is supreme and His creation must be subject to Him. In his rebellion, Satan ("Lucifer") originated the scheme to establish oneself as an equal to God (Isaiah 14:12-15). This was the nature of his temptation of Eve: "...ye shall be gods, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5). Satan's lie is not just that man 'is' God, as espoused in Eastern mysticism, but that he could become 'like' God through acquisition of certain knowledge. In essence, man is, or could become, a god himself.

This appeal to man's pride comprises the essence of the esoteric religions which seek, by initiation, to bring certain chosen individuals to perfection through obedience to an unseen spiritual hierarchy. This hierarchy - known as "Ascended Masters," among other titles - is allegedly comprised of highly evolved men existing in the spirit realm who are leading mankind through stages of evolution to higher planes of consciousness which will eventually result in the attainment of godhood.

Throughout history the ancient mystery religions have taken many forms, from paganism and witchcraft to humanism and some elements of psychology. Today they may be classified under the general name of "theosophy" - the blending of science and religion to create a universal brotherhood of man under a one-world utopian state. The term "theosophy" (lit. "Divine Wisdom" or "Wisdom of the Gods")(55) has several synonyms, some of the more common being "the Esoteric Philosophy," "the Wisdom-Religion," "the Secret Doctrine," "the Ancient Wisdom," and "the Esoteric Tradition."(56)

The esoteric ("hidden," "secret") religions have many expressions throughout the world, and include such notable movements as Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, and Jewish Kabbalism, among others. The basic beliefs of esotericism, as well as the Eastern religions, form the basis for what has come to be known as the "New Age Movement" - today's vulgar expression for the masses of the "higher" mysteries.

The essence of esoteric religion is that man can attain godhood through knowledge and positive living. From time immemorial man has fallen for this delusion, and has sought spiritual power through mastery of so-called "immutable laws" of Nature operative in the spiritual realm. The learning and mastering of these laws allegedly work for man's purposes and "validate" his position as a god. Though modern theosophy, in all its forms, makes certain teachings of the ancient mysteries available to the masses, these are only the exoteric teachings. The deeper esoteric mysteries are reserved for those initiated through secret rites, sworn to secrecy under penalty of death.

Those teachings permitted for the masses have found their way into the Church. They have developed into a form of "Christian" theosophy which has affected many otherwise uncompromising Christians who, if they would keep their heads about them, would suffer death to maintain the inviolable position that deity is an attribute of God alone.

There is a reason for Satan's emissaries infecting the Church with the damnable heresy that we are or can become gods. To the esotericist, bent upon establishing 'men' as gods, all monotheistic religions are anathema and their adherents must be converted or at least subjugated to the spiritual hierarchy (the spirit beings guiding mankind). Since the Church alone has the power of God to resist the deceptions of Satan, it 'must' be made to believe his lies. If the Church can be corrupted or neutralized Satan will have a clear path toward uniting the world against God. Thus any opposition to deception in the Church must be stifled under the pretense that such opposition sows discord among the brethren and hinders unity.

Satan's lies have found fertile ground in the Church not only because many Christians lack knowledge, but because they lack the necessary humility that can protect them against deception. Seeking their own wills above God's will, they are easy prey for deceivers who exalt men and/or the Church to the status of godhood and promote Satan's lies within the Church, lies characterized by the following teachings:

Men are gods;

Men may become gods;

Men may become like God;

Faith is a "law" or "force" that may be activated by anyone - believer or not;

The ability to perform miracles, signs, and wonders is latent within all; we need but learn the techniques that activate the spiritual laws upon which faith is based;

God is bound by these spiritual laws, and must respond to anyone - even His worst enemies - who exercises knowledge of them;

As "gods" ("divine beings") we have the "divine right" to health and prosperity'

Jesus is our "Elder Brother" who mastered the spiritual laws of Nature, and is therefore our example to do the same;

Men may become perfected spiritually and physically by mastering these spiritual laws;

The Kingdom of God will be established on earth when a sufficient number of people have been perfected.

No doubt many who teach these things would deny they are theosophists. In all probability they think of themselves as true Christians who have received special revelations from God. But whether they adhere to theosophical doctrines consciously or are merely pawns in the battle of the ages is immaterial. A child playing with matches needn't have knowledge of the damage he can cause.

It's evident from the recent emergence of these aberrant teachings within the Church that - through schooling and/or personal association - theosophy is having a significant impact upon some of today's prominent teachers. I believe some of these teachers, though sincere in their profession of faith in Jesus, are themselves victims of esotericists who knew how to use biblical and Christian terminology to gain their confidence, or they learned from others who were victims.

Esotericists have made special efforts to merge their secret teachings with the basic tenets of the Christian faith, resulting in some rather interesting esoteric interpretations of Scripture.